GLOBAL NETWORKING GROUPS OF ROTARY A Rotary program for understanding Fellowships. For all Rotarians to use to explain the value of Fellowships and RAGS By Jack M. B. Selway, Founder of Rotary Global History Fellowship (RGHF) www.rghf.org Most everyone has some understanding of fellowship. It s what we do at our meetings, whether Rotary or meeting someone for coffee, or working on a project. Today, in Rotary, there exist two groups of Rotarian activities under the leading of Global Networking Groups. RGHF has the entire story at http://www.globalnetworkinggroups.org for those interested in studying the entire subject.
But, let s start at the beginning, shall we? There s nothing better than a likeminded group of Rotarians, whether it be antique car enthusiasts or wine lovers. So, it was natural that some Yachting Rotarians founded the Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, back in 1947, claiming the position as the first fellowship http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/yachting.htm RI, though, says that Esperanto was first, in 1928. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/esperanto.htm History is full of minor differences. There s even some evidence that Rotary might have had its beginnings in 1904, but that s another subject. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/rotaryone/1904.htm FELLOWSHIPS OF ROTARIANS
So back to Fellowship in Rotary. Today, there are about 100 groups that enjoy the company of each other in similar activities. http://www.fellowshiphistory.org lists them all. Love Canoes? Then this is for you. The first group to band together, on the internet was ICUFR. International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/icufr.htm Followed soon by ROTI. Rotarians on the Internet http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/roti.htm
Not for the faint of heart is cycling http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/cycling.htm Here s a fun group with heart. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/doll.htm
Anybody getting hungry? http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/fellowships/gourmets.htm
Okay, you get the idea. These are people having fun, sharing a common interest, and they are all Rotarians. The fellowships even have a newsletter. It s called the Fellowship Advancer, and the most recent and archives are found here http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/fellowship/ri/index.htm ROTARIAN ACTION GROUPS On 1 July 2006, RI decided that a new group was needed. They are called Rotarian Action Groups, the history is at www.actiongrouphistory.org There are some serious subjects here, but still you find Rotarians enjoying fellowship. World Health Fairs - A Rotarian Action Group Global Network for Blood Donation - A Rotarian Action Group Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group Rotarian Action Group for Population & Development Disaster Relief - A Rotarian Action Group Polio Survivors & Associates - Rotarian Action Group Rotary Diabetes Action Group Rotarian Action Group for Blindness Prevention Rotarians for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Rotarians for Fighting AIDS Rotarian Action Group for the Alleviation of Hunger and Malnutrition Rotarians for Mine Action Rotarian Action Group of Dental Volunteers Rotary Action Group for Microcredit Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration Rotarians Eliminating Malaria Humanitarian Service Rotarian Action Group Rotarians for the Prevention of Drug Abuse ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND OTHER HISTORY FELLOWSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONS The RGHF section on Fellowships was created by Jack M. B. Selway, Founder and CEO, Rotary Global History Fellowship, Member of Rotary eclub of the Southwest,
USA RGHF, an internet history fellowship, was preceded by RHHIF, Rotary Heritage & History International Fellowship. RHHIF was responsible for saving Room 711, now preserved at the RI headquarters http://www.room711.org and from this came the effort to save the home of Paul Harris http://www.paulharrishome.org now with its own foundation. Today, one of our RGHF webmasters maintains the Paul Harris home website, and the recent Council on Legislation has asked the RI board to support the effort, of the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation, to preserve the Harris home Comely Bank. RGHF also provides the website for RHHIF at http://www.historyfellowship.org and Room 711 at http://www. room711.org, in addition to the Harris office at RI at http://www.harrisoffice.org and the Harris memorial at http://www.paulharrismemorial.org Our fellowship will celebrate 10 years, this October, at a three-day event, in Chicago. Those attending will tour Room 711, Paul s house, the cemetery, Paul s office, RI headquarters plus three wonderful dinner events and lunch with the Rotary Club of Chicago http://www.rghf101010.org Today, RGHF is one of the larger fellowships, with nearly 600 members, 11,000 subscribers, and about 1,000,000 annual visitors. Enjoy Rotary by joining a fellowship of Rotarians. See http://www.rotaryfellowships.org for more from Rotary International.